The Bat, the Bramble, and the Seagull

A Bat, a Bramble, and a Seagull went into partnership and
determined to go on a trading voyage together. The Bat borrowed a
sum of money for his venture; the Bramble laid in a stock of
clothes of various kinds; and the Seagull took a quantity of lead:
and so they set out. By and by a great storm came on, and their
boat with all the cargo went to the bottom, but the three
travellers managed to reach land. Ever since then the Seagull flies
to and fro over the sea, and every now and then dives below the
surface, looking for the lead he's lost; while the Bat is so afraid
of meeting his creditors that he hides away by day and only comes
out at night to feed; and the Bramble catches hold of the clothes
of every one who passes by, hoping some day to recognise and
recover the lost garments.

— All men are more concerned to recover what they
lose than to acquire what they lack.